One drop...

Have you ever watched a drop of water in a pond....the ripples keep going out and out...larger and larger.  That is what the adoption world is like....one tiny drop and slowly more and more people touch your life and you are able to touch their lives.  Maria and Zack's story has touched so many people's lives...it has rippled out, brought new and amazing people into our lives. 

I have a great friend in Valerie who adopted one of Maria's friend about a year and half before Maria came home.  The two of us continue to plan on a reunion for our girls. 
I have a new friend in Sherry who is working hard to bring Zack home....hopefully she will have him in her arms as soon as possible.
So many new PAPs in the process, asking questions, seeking counsel.  Some are bring home older children and anxious to have someone who has been walking down this road to help them along the way.  I don't know if I'm the right person, but I am trying to support them in their journey....the way so many of my adoptive parent friends supported me.
New friends in Bulgaria in Toni, who took a chance and got Zack's file (most likely to get me to stop sending her emails where I was BEGGING her to get it) and Desi, who works for a human rights group.  She is visiting the different social homes to ensure that the children are being cared for properly.  She has also agreed to help 2 friends who were left behind....J and S.  Today I got an email from her....I was told that Desi got to meet J and S.  She is helping to get them back on the waiting child list.  She is working to help them be able to have a chance for a family!  Tomorrow she meets with the city's social service agency....the ones who have to help with getting the kids on the waiting child list.  This is also the agency that didn't have their report ready for Maria and my court date last May....So, here is hoping and praying that Desi can move mountains....that J and S's files will start to move!

I also have to say that another one of our ripples is in Maria's social home family....the doctors and staff there really are part of our family.  I know that might sound strange, but they have so much love for Maria.  She was and still is their princess.  They miss her.  The director Dr. U even thinks of her like his daughter....he misses her terribly....so much that he is trying to keep his distance to protect his heart.  I completely understand his reasoning....he will always have a special place in my heart and I hope that one day Maria can see him again.  It is one of the reasons that it is important that Maria maintain her Bulgarian....and she is, hasn't lost any of her Bulgarian and she has been home for almost 7 months!